Early Specialization vs Early Diversification
Game Time:
Early Diversification
- Variety
- 15-16 years of age
- Parents are more accepting
- Pros- Broaden spectrum of skills, skill transfer, interest level
- Cons- Likely face opponents who specialized
Early Specialization
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
- Early Specialization
- The start of his boxing career
- First pair of gloves at 7
- Gym, on call for training as a pro
- Dedication, deliberate practice
- Increasing Trend
- Less than 1%
- Pros- In specific sports, scholarships
- Cons- Injury and psychological stress
Colin Kaepernick
- Early Diversification
- Football, baseball, and basketball
- Football at age 8
- Football skills transferred to baseball
"Hockey is a sport for white men. Basketball is a sport for black men, and golf is a sport for white men dressed like black pimps."